An Increasing in Obesity Both in Adults and Children in United States

Introduction

There are six main reasons that can be explained why there is an increase in obesity both in adults and children in the United States.

Technological Change

First of all is technological change. Technological change seems to be a positive development for society. It improves agriculture, transportation, healthcare, industries, and more. But why is technological change a main cause of an increase in obesity? Firstly, improvements in the agricultural sector, affected by technological change, can increase the number of obese individuals. Due to technological advancements, planting, harvesting, and raising animals have become easier. Farmers do not have to do everything manually; for example, they use tractors to sow seeds instead of hiring numerous workers. Additionally, farmers now use insecticides to prevent losses. Both tractors and insecticides are products of technology and innovation. This is a positive change for society since the costs of agricultural products decrease. However, this also negatively impacts people's weight. A decrease in the costs of agricultural products leads to a decrease in the price of food and groceries. Price is a sensitive factor for everyone because it determines the amount of money spent on goods and services, so changes in food and grocery prices directly affect consumption patterns. If the price of food and groceries increases, people will buy less because their budget remains the same. Conversely, if the price of food decreases, people will buy more, leading to increased consumption. This is a cause of the rise in obesity.

Secondly, technological advancements in the food industry have created new types of food such as instant noodles, frozen meals, ice cream, and canned food. These foods are easy to prepare and convenient for those who lack time to cook their meals. However, these types of foods are unhealthy. They contain high levels of sodium, sugar, MSG, and preservatives, all of which have negative effects on health. These foods are also high in calories, leading to weight gain.

Thirdly, technological changes in home kitchens can contribute to obesity. This goes hand in hand with advancements in the food industry. An example of new home kitchen technology is the microwave. Microwaves are easy to use, and even those who cannot cook know how to operate them. The reason this technology complements the food industry is that many new types of food are designed to be cooked in microwaves. Since they are convenient and easy to use, people can prepare meals multiple times a day with them. Moreover, foods that can be cooked in microwaves are often frozen or instant, leading to higher caloric intake for frequent users.

Fourthly, other technological changes such as advancements in transportation and digital networks have decreased physical activity, contributing to the rise in obesity. Nowadays, people are more comfortable as they drive from one place to another instead of walking or biking, even for short distances. Moreover, if they are hungry but cannot or are too lazy to go out, they can order food delivery. Additionally, people can shop online, purchasing everything through their computers or smartphones. Although food delivery and online shopping save time and costs, they reduce daily physical activity. Even if people consume the same amount of food, their weight will increase, and the likelihood of obesity will rise because the calories burned through exercise, BMR, and physical activities are less than the caloric intake from food.

Eating Out

The second reason is eating out at fast-food restaurants and full-service restaurants. Undoubtedly, most fast-food restaurants sell high-calorie food such as fried chicken, burgers, fries, pizza, ice cream, and cola. These foods contain oil and salt or cream and sugar, which should not be consumed excessively. Similarly, full-service restaurants, although offering some low-calorie options, primarily serve high-calorie dishes. Therefore, individuals who frequently eat out at fast-food or full-service restaurants have a higher likelihood of gaining weight, increasing the risk of obesity.

Increasing Employment of Women

The third reason is the increase in working women. More women choose to work instead of becoming housewives. In some families, a woman's salary before marriage is higher than a man's, so there is no reason to quit work to become a housewife to maintain their income. Moreover, this is not an era where women cannot work; many jobs are more suitable for women than men, and gender equality is prevalent, leading many women to become working professionals. This is a significant reason for the increase in obesity because home meal preparation decreases. When women start working, they leave in the morning and return in the evening or at night, making it easier to buy food from restaurants instead of cooking themselves. Since restaurant food is not as healthy as home-cooked meals and contains high calories, the likelihood of obesity is higher. Additionally, if the family has children, they tend to be overweight because in the morning, they eat food that their mothers can prepare quickly, such as frozen food or sugary cereal.

Smoking Cessation

The fourth reason is the crackdown on smoking via tax increases. Smoking, without a doubt, is harmful to health, so the government has imposed taxes on cigarettes. When the price of cigarettes increases, many people cannot afford them within their budget constraints. Consequently, many people quit smoking. Without nicotine stimulating pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) to reduce hunger, those who quit smoking tend to eat more, leading to weight gain.

Increase in Income

The fifth reason is an increase in income. An increase in income expands budget constraints, shifting the budget constraint curve to the right. This increase in income leads people to consume more and increases the opportunity to eat out. Hence, an increase in income contributes to the rise in obesity.

Health Insurance

The final reason is health insurance. People with health insurance often change their behaviors. Some engage in unhealthy practices such as consuming more high-calorie foods and quitting exercise because they believe health insurance will cover hospitalization costs. Therefore, health insurance reduces people's health consciousness and responsibility, increasing the likelihood of obesity among policyholders.

Conclusion

In summary, while technological advancements and societal changes have brought numerous benefits, they also contribute to the rising obesity rates in the United States. Addressing these factors requires a multifaceted approach, including promoting healthy eating habits, encouraging physical activity, and raising awareness about the long-term health implications of obesity.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Adult Obesity Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Fryar, C. D., & Flegal, K. M. (2015). Prevalence of obesity among adults and youth: United States, 2011–2014. NCHS data brief, no 219. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db219.pdf

Smith, T. A., Lin, B.-H., & Lee, J.-Y. (2010). Taxing caloric sweetened beverages: Potential effects on beverage consumption, calorie intake, and obesity. USDA Economic Research Service. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=44706